Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Grant Hose
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp including (BIOL208 or BIOL227 or ENVE334 or ENVE339 or ENVS339)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces the diverse nature of freshwater ecosystems, their biota, and the physical and chemical factors that have shaped their structure and function. The unit provides a holistic catchment perspective, covering lakes, rivers and estuaries, fish, invertebrates and ecosystem processes. Fieldwork is an important part of this unit, with essential supporting and contextual knowledge provided by laboratory classes and lectures. Students will come to understand the key ecological components in freshwater systems, such as trophic structures, interspecific interactions, and the role of disturbance. Students will also understand how ecological knowledge can be applied to water resource management issues.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assignment description
Report editing & review
Reviewing the work of others is an important part of scientific writing and research. Students will bring to class completed introduction and methods sections of their scientific report. These sections will be distributed among the class and each student will edit and review the work of another. Submissions will be anonymous. You will receive the feedback and comments made by your classmates who have reviewed your work.
Students will complete a scientific report on a field-based survey of aquatic habitats in the Kangaroo River-Shoalhaven Catchment. Biological data will be collected on the field trip. Students will be expected to identify the invertebrates collected and report on the diversity found and process other samples collected as directed in class. The report will follow the standard format for a professional scientific report, i.e., it will have an abstract/summary, introduction, materials and methods, results and discussion sections and appendices. It will be appropriately referenced. Further details of the assignment requirements will be given in class or online.
Short written exercises will be completed. The exercises relate to the tasks undertaken in prac classes.
A quiz will be held during class time. The quiz will cover all material from prac classes, lectures and online learning activities given prior to the quiz date.
Attendance at five guest lectures. Marked as pass/fail based on attendance for whole lecture.
Assignment submission
The scientific report must be submitted to Turnitin. Details of submission for Turnitin will be provided in class or online.
The report editing and review exercise will require you to bring hard copy of your work to the designated class.
Extensions and penalties
10% of the mark allocated for the assignment will be deducted per day that any work is submitted late.
If you have a serious and unavoidable disruption to your studies and require an extension please submit a Disruptions to Studies notification via Ask.mq.edu.au with supporting documentation, and a Professional Authority Form completed by your health care professional. Every effort should be made to seek an extension before the due date unless this is absolutely impossible. If you anticipate any potential problems speak to the unit convenor early
The penalties imposed by the University for plagiarism are serious and may include expulsion from the University. ANY evidence of plagiarism WILL be dealt with following University policy.
Returning assessment tasks
Where practicable, assessment tasks will be returned in class; otherwise they will be available for collection from the Faculty of Science Centre.
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Mid semester quiz | 28% | 15/9/16 |
Prac Tasks | 17% | Multiple |
Report editing & review | 5% | 27/10/2016 |
Scientific Report | 45% | 10/11/2016 |
Guest lecture participation | 5% | multiple |
Due: 15/9/16
Weighting: 28%
In-class quiz on all material presented during lectures and prac classes.
Due: Multiple
Weighting: 17%
Completion of tasks associated with practical classes
Due: 27/10/2016
Weighting: 5%
Students will bring to class completed introduction and methods sections of their scientific report. These sections will be distributed among the class and each student will edit and review the work of another.
Due: 10/11/2016
Weighting: 45%
Students will complete a scientific report on a field-based survey of aquatic habitats in the Kangaroo River-Shoalhaven Catchment.
Due: multiple
Weighting: 5%
Attendance at guest lectures.
This course is delivered as 2 x 1 h lectures and 1 x 3-4 h prac class per week.
Attendance at practical sessions is compulsory and attendance at at least 2/3 of all practical classes is required to pass this unit.
Lectures will be recorded but some classes will be delivered in workshop or tutorial format for which the usual audio recording will not capture all class content. Students are advised to attend all classes where possible.
The course includes a compulsory field trip on the 7-9 September 2016. There will be a cost of $25 for travel during the trip. Students will be responsible for organising and providing their own food and accommodation. Further details of the trip will be provided early in semester.
There is an on campus session on 22 September 2016.
Lecture graphics and iLectures will be available on iLearn http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
We expect you to use iLearn for:
Suggested Reading
Unit completion requirements
Students must complete all assessable tasks AND receive a final mark of >50% to pass this subject.
UNIT SCHEDULE
Website
Lecture graphics and iLectures will be available on iLearn http://ilearn@mq.edu.au
iLearn is a web-based computer mediated communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. iLearn and email will be the principle method of communication in this subject.
We expect you to use iLearn to:
How do you log in? The URL for the iLearn log in page is: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. You will need to log in to iLearn each time you use it. Your user name is your student number. If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Services Website at http://sss.mq.edu.au/equity/about for information on how to get assistance. If you cannot log in after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact Student IT Help, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 063 191 (outside Sydney).
Timetable
Lecture Thursday 9 am – 10 am E5A 110
Lecture Friday 1 pm – 2 pm E4B 308
Practical session Thursday 10 am – 1 pm E8A 120,160
Compulsory field trip 7-9 September 2016
Full day lab session 22 Sept 2016 (mid semester break, 9am-4 pm)
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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